Review: Shinecon Mini not that mini

The other mini headset that I ordered recently has arrived, the Shinecon Mini from AliExpress, which cost me $13.50.

Since it came at about the same time as the Leji VR Mini that I reviewed yesterday, I was able to compare the two mini headsets. They have a lot in common — both are “mini” headsets, both come in a variety of colors. But the Shinecon headset is heavier, bulkier, and more awkward to use.

The Shinecon Mini is on the left and the Leji Mini VR is on the right.

I also liked the color selection of the Leji Mini VR better, but that’s just a personal preference.

1. Field of view

The field of view is officially listed as 90 degrees, which is actually less than the Leji VR Mini’s 96 degrees. It’s not a huge difference, but the view does feel narrower — though it could just be my imagination.

The field of view also depends on the size of the phone. Typically, the larger, the better.

The company says it will hold smartphones with screens of 4.7 to 6.0 inches, which is the same as the Leji VR Mini.

2. Weight

3. Straps

Usual straps that go around the sides and over the top of the head. These are stretchy, like those of the Leji, but the extra weight might make a difference with how well they hold.

4. Fits over glasses

My glasses fit easily, with room to spare. Here, the Shinecon Mini has an advantage over the Leji, which does not fit over glasses.

5. Adjustable lenses

The interpupillary distance is adjustable, via a dial on top of the headset. This is convenient, since you can make the adjustment while wearing the headset.

However, the focal distance is not adjustable.

6. Ready for augmented reality

The front is open, leaving plenty of room for the smartphone’s rear-facing camera to see out. That means that all augmented reality applications work work just fine.

The Shinecon Mini’s open-front design.

7. Fits over audio and power cables

The open front means that there is plenty of space for cables as well.

8. Controller

This is another missing feature of this headset — no built-in button. You will either need to stick with look-to-activate apps and VR videos, or get an external controller. Some sellers will bundle the controller in with the headset.

9. Ease of use

The headset has nice padding around the lenses.

The design of the headset requires you to slide your phone in from the side, and it can be difficult if the phone has a case. In addition, it can be tricky to get the phone positioned just right — it needs to be centered, and level.

The headset did not come with a Google Cardboard QR Code, which was very disappointing. But I found that the Vrizzmo QR Code seemed to work fine.

10. Price

This headset is priced very competitively, and is a good alternative for anyone considering buying a headset made of cardboard.

This is also a great headset to get to tide you over while waiting for the Daydream sets to come out, or to buy for your kids.

Maria Korolov is editor and publisher of Hypergrid Business. She has been a journalist for more than twenty years and has worked for the Chicago Tribune, Reuters, and Computerworld and has reported from over a dozen countries, including Russia and China. Follow me on Twitter @MariaKorolov.

1 Response

Hello Maria, This is a great picture showing the size difference of the VR Shinecon Mini 3.0 and Leji VR Mini. Just make sure your phone does not stick outside the edges like the photo below. I have not used the Leji but I do know the lens on the VR Shinecon lens is 40mm verses the 36mm ~ 38mm lens on the Leji. The discrepince for the lens size is due to the discrepancy from two sites show 2 different lens size.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience and to help us and our advertisers understand our audience so that we can grow the OpenSim ecosystem. More specifically, we use Google Analytics to see general information such as what countries people are coming from. We do not see any information at all about individual users. We also have Google AdSense set up. Here, Google might collect information about users in order to customize ads. You can change what information Google collects. Either way, here at Hypergrid Business, we don't see any of it. We also have Disqus set up for our comments system. Disqus only shows us information that you voluntarily share, We do not have any marketing email lists and we used to have a newsletter, a few years ago, but that has since been shut down and all information deleted. AcceptRejectRead More